What should you know about hepatitis A infection control?

Hepatitis A passes through the fecal-to-mouth route: infected stool contaminates hands, surfaces, food or water and is then swallowed. A person can spread the virus before recognising symptoms. Feeling generally unwell, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine or yellowing skin and eyes can occur, but symptoms vary. The infection affects the liver, and a clinician may arrange examination and blood tests such as a liver function test.

Wash hands with soap and running water after toilet use or changing nappies and before touching food. Alcohol hand gel is not a substitute when hands are visibly dirty. Do not prepare food for others while a clinician or public-health team advises against it. Use separate towels, clean toilet and tap surfaces regularly, wash soiled laundry appropriately and avoid sharing food or utensils. Tell close contacts to seek advice about hepatitis A vaccination after a possible exposure.

Contact a clinician promptly after close household contact, a food-related exposure or symptoms such as yellow eyes, dark urine, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain or dehydration. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, inability to drink or severe drowsiness. Do not wait for symptoms in an exposed infant, older adult or person with liver disease; the clinician can advise on timely preventive care.

Ask how long to avoid food preparation, when work or school can resume, which contacts need advice, whether testing is useful, and how to clean shared facilities safely.